The distinctions between educational providers are becoming increasingly blurred. Publicly funded Universities have been criticised from business groups for many years for the lack of preparedness in work-ready skills of many university graduates. Subsequently, Universities have been attempting to integrate more industry based learning experiences in their degree programs to ameliorate this issue.

On the other hand, TAFE has been able to leverage it's strong emphasis and experience in competency and skills-based vocational training combined with close partnerships with business to develop a diverse range of practical innovative higher education degree and graduate diploma programs that meet the needs of industry. Higher Education graduates from TAFE enter the workforce with practical industry-based skills and training as well as traditional academic skills in research and thinking critically.

Christine Spratt points out in the Sydney Morning Herald article "Higher education in TAFE makes sense. What would make better sense is if governments funded it appropriately and critics joined our existing university partners and colleagues in treating us with respect rather than disdain".

INTERVIEW/PHOTO OPPORTUNITY

Media enquiries should be directed to the NMIT Communications Officer, James Gardener, on (03) 92691579, 0413 483 182 or jamesgardener@nmit.vic.edu.au

NMIT (Northern Melbourne Institute of TAFE) - Situated on six campuses and six training centres throughout Melbourne's north plus a regional campus at Ararat, NMIT delivers vocational training, higher education and lifelong learning capabilities for a global workforce. NMIT forges partnerships with community, industry and government to produce practical, solution orientated graduates capable of making meaningful contributions to their chosen field of endeavour.